Retirement

As I said before I am enjoying my retirement now, but it was not always l like that, when the time drew close for me to retire I started to panic, how was I going to manage with a huge cut in income with just my private pension and state pension. I would have to change my lifestyle and the everyday things I had got used to.
Worst of all I would have to learn to budget, be more frugal and this I did, I drew up spreadsheets and work to that everyday, that way I can enjoy a lifestyle that I can enjoy. It isn't hard to cut your cloth to suit your means I learnt.
The couple of caravaners we met at Speyside took the plunge and have come out well, they have a lifestyle that I would love to have, but due to circumstances it can never happen in the near future.
But we have the chance to get away maybe for three or four weeks at a time no boss to dictate when I should be back at work, bills are paid automatically, I have set up a motorhome account, which I put in a little each week, and Sheila shares the expenses with me which helps with the lifestyle we have chosen to follow.
We decided to buy another motorhome, after visiting my Sister and Brother in Law down at Granton on Spey campsite, We liked the layout and started looking for something simular, once again I was shocked at the prices, yes my bank manager was willing to give me a loan at favourable interest rates over ten years, but no I didnt want to go down that road, I am 68 why do I want to have a loan until I was 78, when the possibly is I might be to old to drive a large motorhome after 70, plus at 70 you have a medical to prove you are fit to drive a vehicle. Ok I could sell the motorhome and pay back the outstanding loan early, but then the bank would want a certain amount of interest back for settling early.
Hire Purchase no way would I go for that, from past experiences I have learnt about HP.
So we looked around for a cash buy, second hand, I know you take a chance buying that way, but you can also get some good buys too.
We looked at three motorhomes we had short listed, one was OK but needed work on it, the second we would have bought but it meant a small loan, which i decided not to pursue.
We bought our third choice a 1990 Eldiss Autoquest 270, It had a clutch problem, but we offered a price and was accepted.
I booked her into my local Garage in Fochabers Colin  has looked after my previous motorhomes.
I picked  the motorhome up a week later and drove her home, what a difference she drove like a dream.